Ever since the season ended back in March, it was expected that senior big man Garrison Brooks would transfer, and use his extra year of eligibility elsewhere. Tonight that became reality, as the senior from Lafayette, Alabama has officially entered the transfer portal. Brooks joins Walker Kessler, Walker Miller, and Sterling Manley as post players to exit the program via transfer. Add in Day’Ron Sharpe declaring for the NBA Draft while signing an agent, and Armando Bacot to go through the NBA Draft process, UNC is on the verge of having it’s front court depleted. Brooks entered this season with high expectations, as he was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year for the ACC, and was believed to be a potential All-American type of player. Instead Brooks averaged just 10.2 points, and grabbed 6.9 rebounds, while shooting just 47% from the floor. Brooks’ individual inconsistency was a big reason why the team never turned the corner, and finished just 18-11.
Brooks was believed to transfer well before Roy Williams announced his retirement, so that didn’t play into his decision. Brooks will be best remembered for his 2019-20 campaign, where he averaged 16.8 points, and 8.5 rebounds. For his career, Brooks averaged 9.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, while making 108 starts. In addition to his four years as basketball player, Brooks was a figure in the Chapel Hill community, taking part in student-led protests following the George Floyd tragedy last year.
As mentioned above, Brooks decision to transfer has completely decimated the front court for the Tar Heels heading into the first season of the Hubert Davis era. Armando Bacot has the option to return for his junior season, and Carolina would gladly welcome back their leading scorer and rebounder from this past season. Davis mentioned on Tuesday he wants Walker Kessler back for his sophomore season, and it’s been reported that he’s not only texted and called Kessler, but seen him in person to try and persuade the former 5 star recruit to stay in Chapel Hill.
As of right now, the Tar Heels only have one post player committed in their 2021 class, that being in state product Dontrez Styles. Davis has said that the program will use the transfer portal to their advantage, and he’s already contacted UVA transfer Justin McKoy. Nonetheless, Davis and his staff (once finalized), will have their work cut out for them, as they’ll try to restock the talent in the post for the future.
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